2024 Kickoff Travel

Posted byBrooke LewisPosted inUncategorizedTags:, , , ,

January 1st, 2024 Border Run

Photo by author.

If you’ve ever been an expat, you will know what I mean when I share that I had to make a border run. For those that don’t, let’s just say “bureaucracies” start with a “B” for a reason, and it isn’t because it’s a beautiful process.

I have been in Colombia since we moved in July. As an American, I can stay for 90 days without a visa, and then apply for a 90-day extension if needed.

Since arriving, my husband and I had to collect numerous documents and register our marriage here in Colombia. The process took more time than anticipated. So, although I have applied for the visa, and I’m just waiting for it to process, I ran out of time on my stay.

I can’t say that I mind starting the year off with a quick trip. I only arrived two hours ago, and I am already exploding with writing ideas. But first, I had to share a bit about where I am.

Rather than giving away my locale, I wanted to see if anyone could guess where I am.

Hints:

  • The photo above is your first clue. It has to do with a famous landmark in this country.
  • The city shares a name with a US city.
  • It is the only country in the world where you can see the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean and set over the Pacific Ocean without moving.

Keep scrolling for the answer.

Photo by author.

I think my hints were too easy, but I could be wrong. Let me know in the responses.

I’m in Panama City, Panama. It’s my first visit to Panama, though I have spent time in its border-sharing neighboring countries, Costa Rica and Colombia.

I can’t wait to get out and explore. However, there will be much more to come shortly. Before I go, here’s a quick explanation of my hints:

  • Hint 1 – The photo, taken from the airplane, shows ships waiting to enter the Panama Canal.
  • Hint 2 – Panama City is also the name of a city on the west part of Florida’s Gulf Coast.
  • Hint 3 – From the highest point in Panama, Volcan Baru, you can watch as the sun rises over the Atlantic Ocean in the morning, then, approximately 12 hours later, watch it set over the Pacific Ocean.

Thanks for reading! Come back for more about Panama in the coming days.

Published by Brooke Lewis

A former high school Spanish teacher, Brooke seized the opportunity to transition into a career in writing when she and her husband moved from the US to Colombia, where they currently reside, along with her stepdaughter. In her freelance writing career, she specializes in "How to" blogs and articles. With experience writing on a variety of topics including tech products, apps, software, and resume and cover letter writing. A niche specialty that developed as a natural progression from her teaching background. Her personal writing shares her experiences traveling and living abroad, teaching , and handling the trauma and grief of losing her father in a tragic motorcycle accident at the age of 19 and her mothers ongoing struggles since being diagnosed with stage four Glioblastoma Multiforme, an aggressive and typically terminal brain cancer.

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